Benoit G, Delmas V, Gillot C, Jardin A
Service d'Urologie, Hôpital Universitaire de Bicêtre, France.
Surg Radiol Anat. 1987;9(4):263-72. doi: 10.1007/BF02105295.
Erection is due to a neurovascular mechanism: an inflow of arterial blood and an obstruction of venous return. The direction of this mechanism is of neurologic origin: (1) control of the smooth muscle tissue of the corpora cavernosa by the autonomic system controlled by reflex centers in the cord or cortical centers accessible to multiple (visual) stimuli (2) control of the perineal muscles by the somatic system. Tumescence is due to a reduction in the alpha-sympathetic tonus of the cavernous tissue permitting influx of arterial blood, and to decreased venous flow from compression of the subalbugineal venous network against the tunica albuginea of the corpus cavernosum. Once this obstruction to the venous return has been achieved, the arterial flow in the corpora cavernosa decreases but persists; the arterial blood in the corpora cavernosa is renewed and not shut off. Rigidity is due to an increase in intracavernous arterial pressure simultaneous with contraction of the perineal muscles (ischiocavernosus) under the somatic control of the pudendal nerve.
动脉血流入以及静脉回流受阻。该机制的指令源自神经：(1) 自主神经系统对海绵体平滑肌组织的控制，而自主神经系统由脊髓反射中枢或可接受多种（视觉）刺激的皮质中枢控制；(2) 躯体神经系统对会阴肌肉的控制。肿胀是由于海绵体组织的α-交感神经张力降低，使得动脉血得以流入，以及白膜下静脉网络受到压迫，从而使静脉血流减少，压迫部位位于阴茎海绵体白膜。一旦实现了静脉回流的这种阻塞，阴茎海绵体内的动脉血流便会减少但仍持续存在；阴茎海绵体内的动脉血不断更新，不会中断。坚挺是由于海绵体内动脉压升高，同时在阴部神经的躯体控制下，会阴肌肉（坐骨海绵体肌）收缩所致。
